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Joe Marler explains the 'personal reasons' behind his England withdrawal
By Ian Cameron
England loosehead Joe Marler has taken to Twitter to explain the 'personal reasons' behind why he's withdrawing from the Eddie Jones' Guinness Six Nations squad.
England revealed that Joe Launchbury and Marler have both been withdrawn from the squad, the former with a broken leg. However England listed Marler as being withdrawn for 'personal reasons'.
Marler was quick to address speculation as to why he has once again removed himself from international duty, taking to Twitter minutes after the news broke.
"Always grateful for the opportunity so not an easy decision, but want to do right by my family in these crazy times and won’t be meeting up with the squad for this tournament," wrote Marler.
"Look forward to watching the team rip in. Go well"
Harlequins have confirmed that he will be available for the club during the period: "Following confirmation today that Marler has withdrawn from England's 2021 Guinness Six Nations squad for personal reasons, the club can confirm that the England and British and Irish Lions star will be available for selection for Harlequins' Round 7 Gallagher Premiership fixture away to Wasps at the Ricoh Arena."
This isn't the first time the prop has removed himself from England duty. Marler retired from international rugby in 2018 due to the stress around being involved with the national side.
He ultimately did a u-turn, returning to England duty in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Launchbury is replaced by Charlie Ewels in the squad and Tom West replaces Marler, although the Wasps wasn't originally included in Jones' first 'shadow squad'. Jones named a 12-player shadow squad, who will be part of the same testing protocols as the tournament squad, to act as replacements should Eddie need players in his 28-man main squad.
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Latest Comments
This France team is as good as they were when they went into the World Cup as favorites. Have gone through a rebuild of confidence and rediscovered that form.
Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.
And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.
They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.
Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.
Go to commentsI'm not meaning to criticise the players, it's a professional game, this is their livelihood so all power to them. I am aiming criticism at the selectors. Italy is the perfect opportunity to give players of the future a game such as Lakai, Love etc. There is a finite number of tests until the next world cup to develop the team, we are wasting one today.
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